by Sean Highkin, USA TODAY Sports

by Sean Highkin, USA TODAY Sports

Russell Westbrook will miss the rest of the NBA playoffs after having surgery to repair a torn lateral meniscus, the Oklahoma City Thunder announced in a news release Saturday. Westbrook will begin his rehab immediately and the team will determine a timetable for his return during the offseason, the team said.

Westbrook suffered the injury Wednesday during Game 3 of the Thunder's first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, after a steal attempt by Rockets guard Patrick Beverley.

Westbrook's injury dramatically changes the landscape of the Western Conference playoffs, as USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick wrote recently. The Thunder had been heavily favored to make a second consecutive trip to the NBA Finals.

"Although we are of course disappointed that Russell will be unable to return to the floor with his teammates this season, the opportunity to repair the meniscus as opposed to remove it was the best possible scenario for Russell's long term health as a player and person," Thunder GM Sam Presti said in the release. "Russell's health and well being are obviously our No. 1 priority through this process and today's procedure helped solidify our belief that Russell will have many productive years of basketball in his future."

It appears the Thunder are taking a conservative approach with Westbrook's rehab. Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in March and returned 12 days later. In 2010, Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy played in a playoff series 10 days after having a meniscus tear repaired. Oklahoma City's release implies that the team will not attempt to bring Westbrook back even if the Thunder advance to the Finals. Westbrook is in the first year of a five-year, $78 million contract extension.